Chevrolet Equinox

Pontiac Torrent

While the Torrent shares its basic body structure and mechanicals with the Equinox, it does have a different front and rear styling.

The Torrent was discontinued after the 2009 model year as part of the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand, with the last one rolling off the assembly line on September 2, 2009. A Buick Theta crossover SUV was to be made, effectively taking place of the Pontiac Torrent.[3] Instead, GM replaced the Torrent with the GMC Terrain, which shares the Theta platform with the second-generation Equinox.

2008 Pontiac Torrent GXP

For the 2008 and 2009 model years, GM offered different versions of the Equinox and Torrent; called Sport/SS and GXP, respectively. Featuring a 3.6-liter LY7 DOHC V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission (with Manual Tap Up/Down shifting capability). This larger and more powerful (264 hp (197 kW; 268 PS) or 40% increase) engine allowed acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in under seven seconds.

These models also received a 1 in (25 mm) lowered ride height with a performance-tuned suspension and unique front and rear body kits. The lower stance is accented by the 18-inch 5-spoke chrome wheels and the absence of the roof rack, giving them a smoother design flow compared to the standard models. The GXP had twin hood scoops, hydraulic power-assisted steering (as opposed to the electric power-assisted standard Torrent), improved interior trim with unique gauges, and a dual chrome-tipped exhaust.

Optional features included navigation, heated sport leather seats, DVD entertainment system, a sunroof and all-wheel drive.[4] GM stated the Equinox Sport was the first vehicle to reflect its more cautious naming standards. GM also prominently promoted the GXP in television advertisements by touting its horsepower advantage over the BMW X3, in an effort to brand Pontiac more as a direct, low-cost rival to BMW.

Chevrolet Equinox LTZ

An Equinox LTZ model was added for the 2008 model year. It is differentiated by its 17-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels, chrome door handles and chrome luggage rack side rail inserts. Standard interior features include heated front seats, leather seating inserts, head curtain side impact airbags, AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3 CD playback capability, and a Pioneer premium seven-speaker audio system. Equinox LTZ came with the same ride and handling package as LS and LT models.

2008 Pontiac Torrent Podium Edition at the Montreal Auto Show

For the 2008 model year, in tribute to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, the Equinox and Torrent each received a special edition, the Team Canada Edition and the Podium Edition, respectively. This package added chrome-clad wheels, sunroof, premium sound system, and special badging.[5] These trims were sold only in Canada.

For the 2013 model year, a new direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 became available on LT and LTZ models, providing 301 horsepower (224 kW; 305 PS) and 272 lb⋅ft (369 N⋅m; 38 kg⋅m) of torque. This engine offered 14 percent more horsepower and 22 percent more torque than the previous 3.0-liter V-6, with the same EPA-estimated fuel economy. A new FE2 suspension package was offered, matched with the 3.6-liter V6 and packaged with 18-inch or 19-inch chrome-clad wheels on LTZ models. The 2013 model year introduced Chevrolet MyLink telematics system to the Equinox.

Additional new features for 2013 models included a dual-player DVD entertainment system, a Power convenience package, and a safety package with lane departure warning system, forward collision warning and rear park assist.[12]

For the 2014 model year, chrome-clad wheels became standard on LTZ models.

The 2015 model year saw the addition of OnStar with 4G LTE and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, which included a 3GB/three-month data trial, standard on LT and LTZ models, with navigation available on LTZ and 2LT.

For 2016, the Chevrolet Equinox received its first mid-cycle refresh along with its cousin the GMC Terrain, which was unveiled at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show on February 12, 2015. This Equinox received a new grille, headlights and front fascia as well as reworked tail lights. In the interior, the Equinox gained a new gear selector, a second storage shelf underneath the dashboard, as well as deletion of the door lock buttons from the dashboard. A new level trim, L, was introduced as the base level, as LS was made the second level, followed by LT and another new trim Premier (replacing LTZ for 2017). Both LT1, LT2, and LTZ level trims were discontinued.

2016 Chevrolet Equinox

More features are in LTZ and LS trims, while LT is unchanged from 2015. However, the OnStar delete feature was removed along with the CD/AM/FM/MP3/WMA Playback audio system, the rear seat entertainment system and one set of 19-inch chrome wheels. In its place are the Chevrolet MyLink system that became standard on all trims and new 17- and 18-inch wheel trims.[13]

Skepticism about the Equinox's EPA fuel economy ratings has been raised after a number of road tests at the model's launch achieved 20 to 30% lower fuel economy than the official EPA ratings. After achieving 18.8 mpg_‑US (12.5 L/100 km; 22.6 mpg_‑imp) in a road test, Edmunds InsideLine stated, "...our testing didn't come close to achieving [the EPA's numbers], even though we're usually within 1 mpg of the EPA combined number."[14] Car and Driver recorded another 18 mpg_‑US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg_‑imp) figure and noted its "...fuel economy that won’t live up to the 22 mpg_‑US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg_‑imp)/32 mpg_‑US (7.4 L/100 km; 38 mpg_‑imp) EPA ratings in real-world use...".[15] Green Car Reports recorded as much as 25.8 mpg_‑US (9.1 L/100 km; 31.0 mpg_‑imp) on a road trip, driving almost exclusively highway miles in "Eco" mode;[16] this is about 20% below the published highway EPA rating. AutoWeek only averaged 23 mpg_‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg_‑imp).[17] The Truth About Cars published an editorial suggesting that GM "inflated" the Equinox's fuel economy ratings for public relations purposes and that the trip computer inaccurately reports fuel economy reported to the driver.[18]

Motorweek, however, managed to achieve 29.3 mpg_‑US (8.0 L/100 km; 35.2 mpg_‑imp) with their test car during mixed driving.[19] LeftlaneNews.com was also able to average 28 mpg_‑US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg_‑imp) average in mixed city and highway driving.[20]

The third generation Equinox is available in four trim levels: L, LS, LT, and Premier. The 1.5-liter turbo I4 is available on all trims. The 2.0-liter turbo I4 is available on LT and Premier. The 1.6-liter turbo-diesel was available on LT and Premier.

An appearance package was available as the Redline Edition. The Redline Edition was only available on the LT trim without the panoramic sunroof or diesel engine. The Redline Edition was available in October 2017.

The Midnight trim line went on sale in Mexico in September 2019.[31]

The third-generation Equinox is available with up to three engine choices. Gasoline engines are identical to the 2016 Malibu: a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that produces 170 hp (127 kW) (12 hp (9 kW) less than the 2.4-liter engine in the previous Equinox but more torque), a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine that produces 252 hp (188 kW) (48 hp (36 kW) less than the 3.6-liter V6 engine in the previous Equinox), or a 1.6-liter turbo-diesel I4 engine that produces 136 hp (101 kW). The 3.6-liter V6 engine option did not carry on to the third generation. The 2.0-liter unit will also be paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

On February 6, 2020, Chevrolet unveiled a refreshed Equinox at the Chicago Auto Show. The updated vehicle sports a new front grille, which extends into the redesigned headlamps, along with a restyled lower fascia with different fog lamps. The rear also sees small changes in the way of redesigned tail lamps and a different bumper.

The trim levels change slightly, with the RS joining the primary LS, LT, and Premier offerings. The sport/street-centric RS trim is set apart by its unique front and rear stylings, black exterior accents, black badges, “Dark Android” 19-inch wheels, and quad-tip exhaust. Inside, the sport-inspired crossover features black upholstery with red contrasting stitching and an RS-branded shift knob.

The base L trim level was dropped, making the LS trim level the base model.[32] The Midnight, Sport, and Redline editions were also discontinued, all of which were replaced by the new RS trim level.[33][34] The refreshed Equinox went on sale in the first quarter of 2021 as a 2022 model, as there is no demand to launch brand-new redesigned and facelifted vehicles in 2020 as 2021 MY vehicles due to effects from the coronavirus pandemic.[35][36]

The 2022 model is only available with the 1.5-liter LYX turbo inline-four.[37] The 2.0-liter LTG turbo inline-four will not return for the 2022 refresh.[38] The 2023 model year only comes with the 1.5-liter LSD turbo inline-four.

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  2022 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD
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  2022 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD
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  2021 Chevrolet Equinox RS (China)

Holden Equinox (Australia and New Zealand)

Holden launched the Holden Equinox (EQ series) in Australia in November 2017, with the first cars arriving in Australia and New Zealand in December. It was available with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine on the base LS and LS+ models, while the more potent 2.0-liter turbocharged model was available for all other models - LT, LTZ and LTZ-V. The 1.6-liter turbo-diesel engine launched in 2018.[39] It was produced at GM's Ramos Arizpe assembly facility in Mexico and replaced the Korean-built five-seat Captiva.

The Australasian Equinox was sold alongside the seven-seat Holden Acadia, known as the GMC Acadia in the Americas.[40]

On October 17, 2018, Holden halted orders on the Equinox due to slow sales and unsold inventory at its dealerships.[41] The Holden Equinox was discontinued in 2020, along with the rest of the Holden lineup, following GM's decision to terminate the marque in Australia and New Zealand and withdraw from all right-hand drive markets due to poor sales and adequate investments not being returned for demand and funding needed continue to serve and remain present in right-hand drive markets.[42]

The 2022 Equinox was tested by the IIHS:[43]

Motor Trend assessed the vehicle's performance as nearly the same as the 3.6-liter gasoline-powered equivalent, while bemoaning the dearth of high-pressure hydrogen filling stations near Riverside, California, in 2008.[47]

The CNG version was available as a newly purchased Equinox through select dealers or as a retrofit on 2013 and 2014 models. Nat G CNG Solutions offered the vehicle in two options: a two-seater "cargo version" and a five-seat "passenger version." The cargo version has an 837-mile combined gasoline / natural gas (9.2 GGE of CNG) while the passenger version has a 775-mile combined highway range (6.8 GGE of CNG).

The companies claimed that the natural gas version had tested at the EPA lab at 31 mpg_‑US (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg_‑imp) highway on natural gas and had achieved a Bin 3 emissions equivalent to the Toyota Prius.[48]